Unidentified masked gunmen, driving two cars without plates, attacked ambassador Fawaz al-Etan and his driver, the spokesman Said al-Aswad said in a statement.

The gunmen opened fire on the car and took the ambassador to unknown destination, Said said.

The spokesman added that the driver of the ambassador was wounded by two bullets and he is now in hospital in Tripoli for treatment.

It is now unclear about the identities of the gunmen and who is behind the kidnapping.

Libya has been plagued with kidnappings and robberies since the downfall of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's government, and the interim government has not established an effective control all around the North African country.